CFA Connect Blogosphere

I had the opportunity to present at the Fire Australia Conference about the great work we're doing, in particular how we're using technology to better connect with our communities.

Our Household Bushfire Self-Assessment Tool, Customer Relations System and the One Source One Message System all featured in my presentation as ways we are using technology to keep people informed and engaged.

People also showed a real interest in the work we're doing online, using CFA Connect and social media to entice people into a relationship with CFA and break down communication barriers. We've even begun conducting bushfire safety meetings online, making us leaders in this field.

It was great to network with the other agencies and discuss what we're doing, which will bring benefits to not just our communities but the entire country. It was even better to come home three days later and participate in the Relay for Life event, which reminded me what a dynamic and passionate organisation I work for.

The CFA team managed to raise around $2800 for the Cancer Council during the twenty-four hour race, and our team included kids as well as firefighters who had come straight from a night shift.

Seeing the level of camaraderie between our staff, volunteers and other agencies made me feel a tremendous sense of pride for our people, and it's clear that the camaraderie of our members spills out into the community and the work we do.

This event made me realise that some of the best communication we do is, and will always be, the face-to-face community engagement work done by our Brigades.

I'm also proud to say that our volunteers are embracing bushfire survival plans - which came across at the recent ABC Fire Awareness Day event. Captain John Schauble as well as volunteers Sam Reaper, Roy Peterson and Dale Ross spoke beautifully on the radio and it was clear that everyone - from junior to senior members - had taken on the importance of having a bushfire survival plan.

We will continue to promote the importance of having a bushfire survival plan at the FireReady Roadshow, which will visit its first community event on Saturday - the Warrandyte Community Market.

The schedule for the FireReady Roadshow was developed by government and focuses on local community events such as markets and festivals, to attract foot traffic. These events will be great opportunities for Brigades to engage new audiences and also network with other local agencies.

I strongly encourage you to visit the CFA website and find out where the FireReady Roadshow is visiting - I'll also make sure I keep you up-to-date with the Roadshow's progress through my Twitter account (@LisaCFA).

Finally - I'd like to extend a heartfelt welcome to Euan Ferguson. I've worked with Euan at a national level for a number of years now, working with him to develop the Fire Danger Rating system, and he is already proving to be a real asset to the team.